The Ups dan Downs of Life

Today is one of my down days. I feel like going home and never come back so I don't have to face the harsh reality. I even googled Rezeki, in search of something to keep my spirit up, and I found this.

"Sesuatu yang telah dijamin oleh Allah kepada seorang hamba adalah rezeki. Sesuatu yang dimintakan pertanggungjawaban oleh Allah adalah rezeki juga"

I guess it's not my time, yet.

Downtime aside, I'm sooo looking forward to this weekend! With 2 birthdays; Uzey's and Yantie's.. (happy birthday in advance darlings!), Ilham's first Petr0sains trip, an advance M0m's day feast (there goes my penat-penat daily run on the treadmill), shopping and more shopping!! Won't be in until 7th. Too bad I've gotta give my weekly yoga a miss next week.

Life is not so bad, after all. Penatlah nak pikir benda-benda yang takde faedah ni.. draining my energy..

Selamat Hari Buruh, buruh-buruh sekalian!!!

The 100 Whys..

That is Ilham. I guess he has reached his Inquiring Phase, "mama, kenapa ....(insert soalan)" followed by "kenapa.. (insert my answer)..." then "kenapa..(insert my next anwer)"... and then.. "kenapa..(insert my next, next answer)" and the conversation goes on and on and on until his attention is diverted to something else.

Oh, the joy of talking.

And Ihsan, he is such an eater! Bagi nasi + pumpkin, okay. Nasi + sweet potato, okay. Nasi + carrot, okay, nasi + brocolli, pun okay. My oh my, give him another month and I'm sure he will be heavier than Ilham!

Oh, the joy of eating.

Work-wise, things have not been slowing down. Even after the big event. Nak tengok gambar artis? Go here. If Siti Nurhaliza can ambik gambar with Celine Dion, Ilham pun bleh amik gambar ngan artis gak :-p

But I survived emceeing in front of 1500 ppl! Tak kisahla orang cakap suara cam guru besar pun. What de heck. As long as I got my job done.

I'm off to the Spa now.
Bliss!!!

Our New Baby

Congrats Enn & Kord for their newborn Akif.

Welcome to the family!!!

** Credits to Puan Photographer sebab curi gambar ni from her flickr..hehehe...

Playing Maid

Weekend felt like a vacation! Went to the beach 2 days in a row to play kite with Ilham and took him swimming at Awan@ on Saturday.

Had my first taste of being a maid last Sunday.
Maybe with some exceptions; the maid didn’t finish Shopaholic and Baby in one sitting, and maid does dirty dishes and laundry , I did not.

But I’m now able to understand my kids better ; Ilham is a full-time clown, providing free entertainment to Ihsan. He jumps, he dances and sings and Ihsan looks so amazed with Am’s skills (or lack of it) and his round eyes were fixed on Am, in a way macam nak cakap “nyanyilah lagi Am”. And with 4 soiled nappies, well, I never knew siblings poo one after another. They take turn, they really do.

The last time I had my hands full with both of them was during my end of 3 month break, and at that time Chan was still an immobile baby, able only to wave his hands. Now he’s everywhere! I can’t put him in the playpen coz the space is too limited and he will protest. When put him on the ‘toto’ in front of the TV , he keeps licking the seam of the toto. If I put him on the tilam he will try to reach for the floor. If I put him in his chair he will squeeze himself out of it. If I put him on my lap while net surfing he will wrestle with me. Last nite he pulled out my Page Down key and benda tu tercabut.

When Uzey finally reached home, I looked like a desperate starving housewife. Kebulur coz I only managed to gulp down a mug of cold Milo and 1 piece of bread cicah sup. Luckily I had some left over soup from the weekend.

Kepada semua bibik2 di luar sana (fazie, in case bibik kau layan blog haha), teruskan kerja anda yang mulia itu (provided you are really into it) dan jagalah anak-anak majikan anda dengan sepenuh hati. Me? Given any day I will never be a stay at home mom (kalau anak satu, maybe… kalau 2… I’ll think about it) tee..hee…

Updates on Ichan:

Started solid last week. Blended rice porridge works fine with him and tak trigger his eczema. Rice + brocolli is his fav, though he had rashes first time trying the new menu a.k.a. nasik ijau as Am calls it.

Have a good weekend people!!!!!

The Happy Couple (oblivious to each other)

On Sara
This is Sara a.k.a Shaya (Ilham-speak) and Sara ialah baby girl kepada Sal & Sham. She is 2 months younger than Ichan. Sal & family came over during the weekend dan tidur satu malam di rumah kami and we were so happy for their company!

On Ichan
Had rashes all over his body after his first meal of brown rice cereal. I do not know whether he is allergic to brown rice or milk in the cereal or rice or food in general?

On Ilham
Raksaksa= lakcakca

I've banned all sorts of citer otroman but the cousin came home during the school holiday and introduced him to all sorts of junk on the TV, geng bas skolah (WTF??!) , ultraman3? ultr@man taro?!? why la menda2 stoopid cam ni can be shown on TV?

On life
Hidup seperti biasa. Life is great! (bersyukur dengan apa yang ada) If I keep complaining, I get stressed out for nothing. But tell me people, is it fair to write in someone's appraisal "....however she was on maternity leave for 2 months'"
Wtf? Did I not finish my work before I left? Too bad I had an emSeePee doing my appraisal. (I hope he's not a blog reader) :-p

Selamat bekerja kepada semua yang bekerja. Cepatlah Friday!!!

And to summarize it all...

Ihsan is officially a crawler now and he is due for his 5th month immunization.
Ilham loves to make Ihsan laughs but after a while he will say "Am penat la Chan.."
Uzey's cousin got married last weekend.
I love being a host! My new house has been packed to the brim with guests.
I can't wait to meet Baby Sara this weekend, the last time I met her when she was only 5 days old.
I've been busy with work (who doesn't?)
I can't complain too much,
$hit happened.
But at the end of the day, I can go home to my babies.
I survived flying in a smaller-than-Fokker aeroplane (I don't think it can be called an aeroplane, kecik gila!) For once I thought I was Noddy.
I traveled to KL and came back within 18hours.
I managed to keep my milk 'safe' walaupun tak bawak ice pack.
I made new friends and met old friends.
I fell in love with Paulo Coelh0, I bought Like The Flowing River while waiting for my flight back and couldn't put it down.
I don't even know how to pronounce this guy's name.
I want to buy furnitures but it's too hard to find the ones I really like.
There's one kopitiam near my office that serves the best coffee, better than my fav Ultimate Mocha from Kopi Bean.
I miss my mom's cooking.
I have to buy cutleries.
I miss the clan.

Life has been good. I've been thinking about those who lost their loved ones. I hope when my time comes, Ilham and Ihsan are mature enough to understand.

Have a good weekend ppl! Selamat Menyambut Hari Keputeraan Nabi Muhammad S.A.W.

Happy MovingOut Day

We're finally moving out of here! Though I feel so relieved that we finally have our own pad, I have mixed feelings of leaving Papa alone. I mean alone in the sense of not staying under the same roof and he doesn't full access to his cucus, but again, our new place is just 2.5 minutes drive away kalau exclude the U-turns and traffic light!! :-)

Li'l updates on Ilham & Ihsan; Ilham has mastered the art of dressing himself up. The vocab, oh my God.. sometimes I remind him that he is not even 3 yet but speaks like he knows everything and anything. Cannot kelentong one... as he is damn good at observing people.

Ihsan is growing up healthily and tembamly, he is such a joy to see, a friendly baby, coos at everyone especially his Papa and for the 100th time I thank God that Ihsan is such an easy baby! Compared to Ilham at his age macam langit dengan bumi.

Am gonna be busy the whole weekend. I leave you with a pix of comp geek in the making.

Brotherly Love

Managed to capture this pic in spur of a moment, and I thought Ihsan looks more 'matured' than he really is. At 3 months, he weighs at a whopping 6.9kg and Ilham is only 10.5kg!! So as advised by the paed yesterday, Ilham in now on Pedia$ure diet coz he's underweight. Wonder where he gets the skinny genes from? Definitely not from me!!

Finally...

I have not been updating this blog for almost 3 months as there were so many things to write about but I didn't know where to start. Blame it on my maid, she extended her 'annual leave' until end of January and left me with no choice except sending my two boys to daycare, and I ended up crying on my way to office for the first 2 days. Ilham hated to be woken up soooo early, so he started to cry from the moment we woke him up until we reached the daycare. It broke my heart to see him crying and wailing, but we had no choice. Only after the third day he was fine and now, he actually mentions about 'school' even at night, and woke up earlier than us in the morning. And that's how my nightmare ends.

After 3-months long break from work, I have started my new job, though it's still in the same op unit, this new job is more challenging and my transfer was drastic, that's what happened to you when you are on maternity leave, people can do anything coz they know they won't get any objection.. shiiitteeeeeeee..... I'm not complaining though, coz I think this new area is quite interesting but I heard the last person who sat on this post is on unpaid leave..cuckoo case, how terrifying! Hope I won't go crazy just like her hahahaha


Ihsan is growing faster by the day. He can finish 5 bottles, 2.5oz each of EBM in 8 hours and I have to make sure that I express enough, thanks to my newly-arrived electric b-pump, I'm no longer complaining of tangan lenguh while using my Isis anymore. He's due for his 3rd month immunization so we're taking him to KSH this Friday. We introduced him a pacifier starting last night, coz he seems to be always hungry and sucks his hands, or anything at all that come across his mouth. But I read in bbycentr that sucking on a dummy instead of the breast results in lack of stimulation to the breast to produce prolactin, which then results in a reduced milk supply, which makes me really worried! Ilham didn't like dummy, that explains why he was b/fed until 21 months old. I am seriously worried about Ihsan, I plan to b/feed him until he's 2 years old. But why do I keep comparing? Of course they can be different.. muka je sama..

Ihsan, is really different with Ilham when he was Ihsan's age. Ihsan is a 'cool' baby, he doesn't cry a lot and he sleeps through the nite since he was 1 month old. And obviously, he is waayyy bigger than Ilham. He weighs 6.1kg @ 2 months, esok lusa pegi checkup tak tau la berapa kg dah, sakit belakang pegang dia lama-lama.. :-P He smiles a lot, he can hold his head up for a long time and he has started to laugh, with shrieking sound.

Ilham, on the other hand, is really acting like a big bro now. Everyday after we pick them up from 'school', he will tell us that he plays with Chan and give us updates on both of them. I can see that he loves Chan very much, voluntarily patting him to sleep and instruct me to feed Chan everytime Chan cries. I once caught him 'reading' a book to Chan, while Ihsan was babbling away.

With 2 boys and no maid, I owe so many things to Uzey, he is such a great help. I wonder how could I survive if he was still working in P/jaya. Here's to a great year ahead, I think it's still not too late to wish you guys, my dearest friends (and readers yang boleh dikira dengan jari ni), HAPPY NEW YEAR!!.

Oh, and, Miss-cream, WELCOME HOME!!

The Pursuit of Epi-ness

I've planned to write something on Ihsan's birth since last 2 months but couldn't find time/ ideas on how to start. But I guess the title summarizes the whole story. Ihsan arrived one day later than the EDD. And no epidural. On Oct 8, in chronological order: 11am-reached hospital 12noon-given a pill to help trigger contraction. Felt nothing.Checked in to the room, bored to death. Requested to go home, the Dr said no.Still no sign. Reminded the Dr on my epidural thingy 5pm- given another pill to speedy things up. Still no sign. Was still eating like a pig though everybody else was fasting :-p. Gynae said I will be done by 9pm, but no, she was oh, so wrong! 9pm- felt a mild contraction but it's on and off. Still no sign. everything was still normal. But I requested for Uzey to perform Terawih prayer in the room instead of going to the mosque, mana tau nak terberanak pulak :-). Still no sign. Slept through the nite and both of us were wondering why I was in no pain, yet. 4am- Woke Uzey up, I thought that the baby's movement was not much. 5am- Nurse cam and did CTG, baby was fine. I was not in pain. Given another pill to speed up delivery. Why oh why wasn't I reacting to the pills?? Gynae told me to be ready by 9am. By hook or by crook she will MAKE me deliver. 6am- Now I felt the sharpness on my back, it's time! Finally! Prepared myself, brushed my teeth and washed my face, did not manage to take a shower, afraid I would scream in the bathroom :-) 7am- Nurse came and wheeled me to the labour room.Gynae & his anaesthetist husband have yet to arrive. Was 5cm dilated. 7.30am- Was already 8 cm dilated. Gynae arrived. Too late to have an epidural. 8.30am- After 3 big, horrendous pushes, Umair Ihsan was out of my womb. Well, the moral of the story is, NEVER, EVER let you anaesthetist to be your gynae's husband, or the other way round, unless they come to work driving separate cars! Because the husband was late, I could'n get my epi, thus the title. I wanted to pursue it so badly I kept asking the nurse where's the doctor? Have they arrived? Where's my epidural? Furthermore, Ihsan was not small, you see :-). But Alhamdulillah everything went perfectly, even the pushes! (this time takde push and masuk balik..haha) I'm leaving you with a clip taken few minutes after Ihsan was born and cleaned up. But excuse the sound, I have no idea what went wrong during the filming..chewah! But one thing I know, even when you are in the most excruciating pain, nothing comforts you better than holding your husband's hand. Love u, babe!

Hello World!

Introducing my very own, brand new Umair Ihsan bin Uzzir, born on 9th October 2007 at 8.30 am after almost 50 minutes of intense labour.

He is in my arms as I'm typing this and Ilham is trying to take over the keyboard,so I guess I've got to wait until the boys are asleep before trying to log in, next time :-)

Stop And Smell The Roses

And that was what I exactly did this morning as I walked on the pebble path leading to my office. It's something that I have not done for ages. I just can't remember the last time I touched a full bloom rose still wet with the morning dew. I even plucked one of them, and amazingly it lifts up my spirit this morning, I've been grumpy when Uzey woke me up :-)

Ironically that's how life works. We are too busy with too many things that we sometimes tend to overlook the little things in life. In my case, being too occupied with work though I'm supposed to be happy I have only 3 more days before I start my long leave. Yes, THREE!! I should be celebrating the fact that I do not have to be in the office for 60+ days!!! Hahahahaha now I'm happy :p

And baby is due in 14 days (or less). I hope he will come out few days earlier as I look like I'm about to pop out any moment now.

Ilham, on the other hand, is busy playing big brother to his li'l teddy bear. I hope when the new baby comes along he treats his brother as nice as he treats his bear. Though I've seen him making the bear fly like an aeroplane. He sniffs his bear's bottom and mentioned something about diaper change, he asks whether his bear wants to eat or sleep and last nite he makes the bear sit and he read him a story book.

He is also busy being curious, he wants to know everything, every colour, every movement, everything that we talk about. But he still doesn't want to eat! How I wish he would eat like any other toddlers his age.

I am still fasting, it's quite a surprise for someone whose tummy growls before 8 am before the fasting month. But this time around I really force myself to wake up and eat properly for sahur, I guess that's how I survived.

I won't be blogging at home due to technical reasons so let me be the first one to wish you Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir Batin!! My hari raya will come earlier than yours this year, and the baby makes a perfect raya gift for Uzey & my parents.. and definitely for myself.

Please pray for me, I hope to have a safe, speedy delivery. Still contemplating whether I should go for epidural or not as Fazie made epidural sounds so enticing..hehehe...

Over & Out

Another Baby Girl In The Family!

Congrats to Fazie & Najib on the arrival of their 3.43kg baby girl!!!!! Born on 19.09.2007 @12.30 noon.

Our big family is just getting bigger & bigger!!!!!

Ilham Had A Haircut

Uzey took him to the barber last Saturday and that was his first 'commercial' haircut! The first one was when my dad shaved him bald 7 days after he was born.
Should have captured the look on his face when the barber trimmed his hair, Uzey was laughing at him but that nite when he recalled his experience, he told me 'Papa kata Am encem'... my boy......

A new baby girl in the family

Congrats Sue & Sam for the arrival of this little bud!!! Born on 09.09.07 at 4.10am. Happy born day, baby!!!

Sue, all of us are so happy for you!!!

Pre-Anniversary Lunch

Dear Uzey,

Just wanna wish us Happy Anniversary :-) Hopefully if the EDD is right, I'll pop out your anniversary gift exactly one month after our wedding anniversary.. hehe..
(a lame reason for not buying you anything yet for our a'sary gift) Love ya!

Friends

Thank you guys for being there (and everywhere) for the last 17 years!!

*Sue (tiada dalam gambar)
** Yant (nampak tangan)
***Enn (nampak tudung)

25 Spontaneous Q

25 spontaneous questions

1. What do you want for your birthday?
A laptop

2. Who will be your next kiss?
Ilham, since he is the only one available at the mo

3. When was the last time you went to the mall?
Sunday morning, to Ikano

4. Are you wearing socks right now?
No

5. How did you spend your summer?
Summer? What summer?

6. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?
Nope. The last one was few months back.

7. What was the last thing you had drink?
750ml of air longan

8. What are you wearing right now?
New blouse given by my auntie & black pants

9. What was your last purchase?
Crocs Sassari & Big Apple Donuts!!! Yummmm…..

10.What was the last food you ate?
Keropok lekor

11. Who would be the person you would call if you were up in the middle of the night and couldn't sleep?
Uzey, if he is not at home.

12. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
For baby, yes. Lots of ‘em

13. Do you have a pet?
Nooo

14. What made you laugh in the last 5 days?
Ilham

15. If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
At home with Ilham, Uzey and my parents

16. What is the last thing you purchased online?
Postnatal binder

17. One thing you hate about yourself?
Impulsive needs to shop

18. What's your favorite soup?
Anything soupy

19. Do you miss anyone?
My late Wan

20. What are your plans for the day?
Go home at 5 pm sharp

21. Last person you SMS-ed?
Uzey

22. Ever went to camp?
Yep, but only in primary

23. Were you a good student in school?
Primary school: Guess so..
Secondary School: I don't think so...
Uni: When was that ? haha

24. What do you know about the (your) future?
Nothing. Take life as it is.

25. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
Chance by Chanel

of nothing and nothingness

I'm turning into an elephant. Seriously.

With Ilham, I didn't look and feel as enormous as now... I hope I can stop gaining weight during the fasting month, but I hope baby gains his weight as he should. But would that be possible? I can barely reach out to trim my toenails. I have difficulties sleeping at nite, visions of the labour room keeps coming to my mind. I am paranoid my tummy can't accommodate my baby. I hope I won't get high BP. I have so many things in my mind I guess I have to stop being paranoid. But at the same time I'm afraid of gaining weight, I'm thinking of my mom's nasi kerabu, sushi and thin crust pizza. Gila ke hape?

On a brighter side, Ilham's antics never failed to make my day. He wakes up on weekend mornings and asked 'mama nak pegi keje ke' and goes back to sleep when I said 'cuti'. He volunteers to rub my tummy and he hugs me until he asleeps almost every nite. I hope when the new baby comes along he won't be jealous of his brother.

And I still have another 7 weeks to go!!!! Sigh.. rasa macam lama gila lagi. It's not that I don't like the feeling of baby kicking in my tummy but I just wanna get it over with so I can concentrate on returning to a normal life, with new baby in tow.

CONGRATS to our expecting new mommy, you know who you are. Another addition to the clan!

And welcome back Miss Doctor! Hope you can squeeze us in your tight schedule.

Office sucks. I have not received any offer for the supposedly new post. And time is running out. I don't feel like re-skilling myself (yet) esp when at the same time I have to readjust my life with a new baby. Hope I'll receive some good news before end of September, or I'll just decline the promotion and stick to whatever post ( and $$) that I have now. Sigh...decision...decision....

Welcome Home

After almost 8 months, today is the day we've been waiting for. Ilham will get to see his dad everyday, and I can let Uzey be in-charge of him at night. haha..Awesome!